وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ 11
Translations
But never will Allāh delay a soul when its time has come. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.
Transliteration
Wa-lan yu'akhkhira Allahu nafsan idha ja'a ajaluh wa-Allahu khabeerun bima ta'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah will not delay the soul of any person beyond the appointed term of life (ajal) - death comes at a precise moment predetermined by Allah alone. Ibn Kathir explains this as a comprehensive statement of Allah's absolute control over life and death, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that no power can extend or reduce one's lifespan. The final clause 'And Allah is Aware of what you do' serves as a reminder that despite the certainty of death, Allah is fully cognizant of all deeds, establishing accountability alongside mortality.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the period of the hypocrites (munafiqun), this ayah concludes Surah Al-Munafiqun and addresses the hypocrites' false confidence in their worldly status and wealth. The broader context warns them that their material possessions cannot save them from death, nor can they negotiate with Allah regarding their appointed hour—a reality they denied or downplayed through their hypocrisy.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The soul of a believer is taken forty days before his body,' illustrating the precision of the appointed term. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records the Prophet's statement: 'No soul can die except by Allah's Permission, at an appointed term (ajal),' which directly parallels this ayah's meaning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that while we cannot control the hour of our death, we can control our actions during life—and Allah's complete awareness of our deeds means every action has cosmic significance and will be reckoned. The lesson for modern readers is to prioritize meaningful deeds over material accumulation and to abandon false hopes that wealth or status can extend life or substitute for accountability.